Adolescent achievements: Victor Valley High celebrates 390 graduates

Draped in green and white caps and gowns, 390 Victor Valley High School graduates commemorated their achievement on Thursday evening as they became the school's 101st graduating class.

The full house of supporters added to the festive atmosphere as they watched their Jackrabbits achieve an adolescent milestone.

With the class motto being “Class of 2017...because the 90s saved the best for last,” these graduates aimed to go out with a bang. And they did, as 22 percent of the class was accepted into a four-year university and 8 percent attained a 4.0 or higher grade point average.

“A few of our parents migrated from different countries to simply give their children a better life. They sacrificed themselves to give us what they never had,” Valedictorian Alondra Juarez said. “I remember upon hearing my first college acceptance I sat down with my dad and he said to me: ‘Alondra this is why we did it, it was all worth it.’”

Juarez graduated with a 4.6 GPA and plans to attend the University of California at Los Angeles.

Salutatorian Luis Perez greeted his classmates before jumping into how he will miss the memories, laughs and motivation and even cherish the moments where he had to “run at full speed with a 20-pound backpack to avoid a tardy ticket.”

Perez cited restless nights for producing college acceptance letters; he plans to attend UC Irvine after graduating with a 4.3 GPA.

“Holding those letters in my hands allowed me to realize that hard work holds our dreams and goals,” Perez said.

Salutatorian Lena Cook thanked all her friends and family, explaining that when she looks back on high school she will just remember the memories, not the quizzes or “that one B” she received in geometry.

“Each of us will be going our separate ways to follow our ambitions and dreams. Appreciate the people sitting next to you while you can, because it may be the last time some of us see each other,” Cook said.

Graduate Roseanna Timoteo sang the national anthem at the beginning of the ceremony. The Victor Valley High School Choir closed the evening with the Alma Mater.